Side-by-side cost of living comparison for 2026
14% cheaper
Corpus Christi is 14% more affordable than Bakersfield. A $75,000 salary in Bakersfield is equivalent to $64,604 in Corpus Christi.
Index values shown. National average = 100. Lower is cheaper.
To maintain the same standard of living:
See exact take-home pay: California salaries · Texas salaries
Housing is typically the biggest factor in any cost-of-living comparison. Bakersfield has a housing index of 96 while Corpus Christi sits at 69 (national average = 100). The median home in Bakersfield costs $310,000 compared to $195,000 in Corpus Christi, a difference of $115,000. Monthly rent follows a similar pattern: $1,200 in Bakersfield versus $1,100 in Corpus Christi.
Groceries and everyday expenses show a notable difference: Bakersfield scores 100 while Corpus Christi scores 94.
Healthcare costs in Bakersfield (99) are higher than Corpus Christi (93). Both are close to the national average.
Median household income in Bakersfield is $57,548 compared to $53,238 in Corpus Christi. When adjusted for cost of living, income goes further in Corpus Christi.
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